Obama Tries to Sway Rank-and-File GOP

By

Peter Nicholas and

Janet Hook

March 4, 2013 8:45 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama, unable to reach a deal on fiscal issues with Republican leaders, has begun courting more junior GOP lawmakers in hopes of creating a coalition to push through a budget deal that includes tax revenue increases.

Since Saturday, Mr. Obama has placed calls to several lawmakers, including Republican Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio, Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Bob Corker of Tennessee. The calls came after Mr....